Jake Paul’s Ranking in the Cruiserweight Division
Jake Paul continues to hold his place as the fourteenth-ranked fighter in the cruiserweight division according to the World Boxing Association (WBA), as confirmed by World Boxing News. In a recent discussion with Álvaro Carrera, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza shared insights into this contentious ranking and his vision for Paul’s boxing journey.
WBA’s Support for Jake Paul
Mendoza emphasized that he aims to guide Paul in developing his skills as a professional boxer, despite the widespread criticism aimed at the WBA for including a YouTuber in their rankings. He stated to Carrera,
“If you believe in me, I will assist you in becoming a more competent boxer. This partnership can lead to positive outcomes. The critics accused us of having financial motivations, but I assure you that it is not the case. Jake Paul is part of the regular rankings now.”
The WBA President believes that the cruiserweight division could benefit from fresh talent and increased engagement, acknowledging the impact Paul has on public interest in the sport. He remarked,
“We can’t overlook the attention that Jake Paul garners for boxing.”
Mendoza also pointed out Paul’s commitment, which was visible when Paul thanked him and the WBA publicly, suggesting that the skepticism about commercial interests was unfounded.
Defending Paul’s Record
The WBA also defended Paul’s record, which some critics deem weak due to its composition of fights against mixed martial arts competitors and boxers with no professional experience. Mendoza indicated that the WBA assesses records like Paul’s just as they do with other contenders, saying,
“The critical viewpoint of his history with opponents must consider that if he had four seasoned boxers in his record, the evaluation would be different. The goal is not about a title bout but to identify a boxer who could compete against ranked fighters.”
Future Prospects and Other Rankings
Paul’s integration into the WBA framework indicates that he will be subject to the same standards as other boxers. Mendoza questioned the logic of excluding Paul from the WBA, arguing,
“How can we influence an athlete’s career if they aren’t acknowledged within our organization?”
While the WBA supports Paul’s ranking, Mauricio Sulaiman, the President of the WBC, has not issued the same recognition for Paul’s standings in the WBC lists concerning the 200-pound category. This ranking comes as Paul negotiates a significant fight that could define his career against heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
About the Author
Phil Jay, the author of this article, brings over 15 years of boxing journalism experience. As the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has covered major boxing events and interviewed numerous champions in the sport.
